While the race for mayor in Baltimore hasn't generated much voter interest lately, it hasn't been cheap.

While the race for mayor in Baltimore hasn't generated much voter interest lately, it hasn't been cheap.

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Updated: 6:17 PM EDT Jul 3, 2015

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WEBVTT IN DECLARING HER INTENTION TO RUN FOR MAYOR OF BALTIMORE, SHEILA DIXON SAID SHE HAS GOTTEN PLENTY OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC. MS. DIXON: IF I TOOK A POLL, NINE OF THEM IS ME A HEADS UP OR THUMBS UP OR SAYS WE NEED YOU BACK. I DO NOT EVEN KNOW THESE PEOPLE. JAYNE: A THUMBS UP AND SIGNING A CHECK OUR TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. SHE SPENT THE LAST FIVE YEARS ON THE POLITICAL SIDELINES, SERVING OUT THE TERMS OF HER PROBATION. IN 2009, JURY FOUND HER GUILTY OF EMBEZZLING GIFT CARDS INTENDED FOR THE POOR. A PLEA DEAL TO AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF PERJURY A MONTH LATER ENJOYED 10 REQUIRED HER TO RESIGN HER JOB AS MAYOR AND STAY OUT OF POLITICS WHILE ON PROBATION. NOW SHE IS FREE TO RUN BUT HER CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT HAS A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO. AS OF JANUARY THE LAST REPORTING DEADLINE, DIXON HAD SHY OF $78,000 IN THE BANK. INCUMBENT STEPHANIE RAWLINGS LIKES ACCOUNT WAS MORE THAN $365,000. RAWLINGS BLAKE SPEND MORE THAN $1.9 MILLION, NEARLY DOUBLE HER CLOSEST RIVALS COMBINED. CANDIDATES SPENT MORE THAN $3 MILLION. 2016 WILL LIKELY COST MORE WITH A UNIQUE BATTLE INVOLVING TWO WOMEN WHO HAVE EACH HELD THE JOB. SHEILA DIXON HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUPPORT -- ATTRACT POLITICAL SUPPORT WHILE UNDER A CLOUD. IN 2009, SHE WAS ABLE TO RAISE MORE THAN $230,000 IN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS WHILE UNDER INDICTMENT AND ON TRIAL.

Interest may be low, but mayoral race is costly

While the race for mayor in Baltimore hasn't generated much voter interest lately, it hasn't been cheap.